But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 

I Corinthians 15:20-22 

The resurrection of Christ is at the heart of the faith. Thus, when Paul articulates it, he is setting forth a central truth. Paul dedicates the whole of the 15^th chapter of I Corinthians to it. The rest of the writers of the New Testament address it in one way or another. It was a requirement that in order for a person to be an Apostle, that they had been an eyewitness of Christ’s being alive after His crucifixion. When Paul says, ‘now Christ is risen from the dead,’ he is firmly stating an accepted fact. Therefore, when we articulate it, we are only following in a long line of those who have spoken it. That Christ has risen from the dead is the confirmation of all else that went before it and follows after it. It verifies the validity of His incarnation, perfect life, sacrificial death, current intercession, and visible return. These are all tied in one way or another to His resurrection from the dead. For this reason, it is impossible to overstate the truth of His resurrection. He is risen and is returning. 

Our Good and Wise God, 
we rejoice that You have shown us, 
in so many ways, that Christ has risen from the dead.  
We praise You that You have given us, 
the privilege to proclaim it. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning

And that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 

I Corinthians 15:5-8

Who saw Christ after He rose from the dead? Our text catalogues them. Paul is beginning his masterful discourse on the resurrection of the dead. This is the richest exposition on the subject we have in one location. As he introduces the subject, he clearly articulates the gospel, concluding with, ‘and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.’ Our text is the next set of verses. Here Paul lists the people who saw Christ after He had risen. It is an  impressive array of individuals and groups. Peter, the other disciples, a congregation of more than five hundred, James, the apostles, and finally Paul himself. Thus, the resurrection of Christ is well-documented. This is important to us and separates fact from fiction. The rest of the faith is integrally related to Christ’s resurrection. By Peter’s testimony, ‘For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.’ We testify that we believe them because of their witness, that Christ has, indeed, risen from the dead. This is worth believing and proclaiming. As we go about our lives, within the various contexts in which we find ourselves, let us proclaim, ‘He is risen indeed.’ 

Our Savior and our Sovereign God, 
we rejoice that Christ has risen from the dead. 
We praise You for the authority of Your witnesses 
and their confirmation of what they saw. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning